Health and Safety policy
Health and Safety Policy for Man with Van Castelnau
Man with Van Castelnau is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our removal and transportation activities. This policy sets out how we manage health and safety across our services, including domestic and commercial removals, loading and unloading, packing, and transportation.
Our Health and Safety Objectives
We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing practical control measures. We continually work to improve our health and safety performance and ensure that our operations are carried out in a responsible and professional manner.
Management Responsibility
Management at Man with Van Castelnau has overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes ensuring that appropriate arrangements, resources, and procedures are in place to protect staff and customers during removal activities. Management will:
Provide and maintain safe vehicles, equipment, and systems of work for all removal tasks.
Ensure that employees receive appropriate training, instruction, and supervision.
Regularly review risk assessments relevant to moving, lifting, loading, and transporting goods.
Monitor health and safety performance and address any issues quickly and effectively.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Man with Van Castelnau has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees are required to:
Follow all company health and safety instructions and safe working procedures.
Use vehicles, tools, and equipment correctly and only for their intended purposes.
Wear any personal protective equipment provided, such as gloves, safety footwear, or high-visibility clothing, when required.
Report any accidents, near misses, defects, or hazards to management without delay.
Work in a way that minimizes risks to themselves, colleagues, customers, and the public.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
We carry out risk assessments for our removal services, including manual handling, driving, loading and unloading, and working in and around customers premises. Based on these assessments, we establish safe systems of work to control risks, such as:
Planning removal routes within properties to avoid obstructions, slips, and trips.
Using appropriate lifting techniques to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Ensuring goods are safely loaded, balanced, and secured in vehicles to prevent movement in transit.
Assessing access points such as stairs, corridors, and doorways to determine the safest way to move items.
Taking extra care with heavy, bulky, fragile, or high-value items to protect both staff and property.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a key part of removal work and presents a significant risk if not properly managed. We are committed to reducing manual handling risks by:
Providing guidance and training on correct lifting and carrying techniques.
Encouraging the use of handling aids such as trolleys, dollies, and straps where appropriate.
Requiring team lifting for heavy or awkward items.
Planning the handling of items in advance and removing hazards from pathways before moving loads.
Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards
Our vehicles are central to our service, and their safe operation is essential. To manage vehicle and driving risks, Man with Van Castelnau will:
Maintain vehicles in good working order, with regular checks and servicing.
Ensure drivers are competent, licensed, and familiar with safe driving practices.
Require drivers to carry out daily vehicle checks before starting work.
Load vehicles in a way that ensures stability and prevents overloading.
Encourage safe driving behaviour, adherence to traffic laws, and suitable journey planning.
Customer and Public Safety
We take reasonable steps to protect customers and members of the public while we carry out removal activities. This includes:
Keeping work areas tidy and minimizing obstructions in shared spaces.
Communicating clearly with customers about access routes and any temporary restrictions.
Taking care when moving items in communal areas to avoid damage or injury.
Being considerate of neighbours and other property users during loading and unloading.
Training, Information, and Supervision
We provide our staff with the information and training they need to work safely in a removal environment. This may include induction training, job-specific guidance, and refresher training where necessary. Supervisors and experienced team members help to oversee tasks, particularly when handling complex moves or challenging items.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
All accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses that occur during our work must be reported to management at the earliest opportunity. We record and, where appropriate, investigate these events in order to:
Identify root causes and contributing factors.
Take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
Improve our procedures, training, and equipment where needed.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Man with Van Castelnau provides suitable equipment for lifting, loading, and protecting items during transit. Where personal protective equipment is required, employees must use it as instructed and take care of it. Any defects or problems with equipment or protective gear must be reported immediately so that replacements or repairs can be arranged.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
We are committed to continuous improvement in health and safety throughout our removal operations. This policy is reviewed regularly, and also following any significant changes in our activities, working methods, or relevant guidance. Updates are communicated to employees so that they are aware of any new requirements or procedures.
Responsibilities and Commitment
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Management, employees, and contractors working with Man with Van Castelnau are expected to support and uphold this policy. By working together and following the arrangements set out above, we aim to deliver efficient removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved.
